Airbag cushion having irregular configuration

Abstract

An inflatable cushion for a vehicle occupant restraint system includes a bag formed of flexible material and defining an internal cavity, and inflatable to a predetermined three-dimensional configuration. The bag is constructed of a plurality of panels of a durable, flexible material which are joined together to define a predetermined three-dimensional configuration such that at least a part of the bag will overlie an A pillar of a vehicle when the bag is in an inflated condition.

The invention is claimed as follows: 
     
       1. An inflatable cushion for a vehicle passenger restraint system comprising: a bag formed of flexible material and defining an internal cavity; said bag being inflatable to a predetermined three-dimensional configuration; said bag comprising a plurality of panels of a durable, flexible material and means respectively joining said plurality of panels to define said predetermined three-dimensional configuration when said bag is in an inflated condition; wherein said plurality of panels comprise an inner side panel having a peripheral edge defining a restricted neck portion and an enlarged wall portion projecting from said neck portion, an outer side panel having a peripheral edge defining a neck portion of substantially similar dimensions to the neck portion of said inner side panel and an enlarged wall portion projecting from said neck portion and of greater cross-sectional dimensions than the enlarged wall portion of said inner side panel, and a center panel having an inboard edge complementary to said peripheral edge of said inner side panel about said enlarged wall portion, an outboard edge complementary to a peripheral edge of said outer panel about said enlarged wall portion thereof, and respective top and bottom portions formable to complementary configuration with the neck portions of the inner and outer side panels. 
     
     
       2. An inflatable cushion according to claim 1 wherein said joining means comprises a first plurality of stitches respectively joining said center panel inboard edge to the peripheral edge of said inner side panel and a second plurality of stitches joining said center panel outboard edge with the peripheral edge of said outer side panel. 
     
     
       3. An inflatable cushion according to claim 1 and further including a neck reinforcement panel engaging the respective top and bottom end portions of said center panel and said neck portions of said inner and outer side panels and a plurality of stitches respectively joining said reinforcing panel with said center panel top and bottom end portions and said neck portions of said inner and outer side panels. 
     
     
       4. An inflatable cushion according to claim 1 wherein the enlarged wall portion of each of said inner and outer side panels is generally triangular in configuration, having rounded corners at edge portions thereof remote from areas at which said edges diverge from said neck portion. 
     
     
       5. An inflatable cushion according to claim 4 wherein said center panel inboard edge has a first portion extending from the bottom end portion defining a straight line of a first length, a second portion extending from said first portion which curves in the direction of said outboard edge, and a third portion extending from said second portion which defines a straight line of a second length much shorter than said first length, and wherein said center panel outboard edge has a first portion extending from the bottom end portion which diverges from said first portion of said inboard edge, a second portion extending from said first portion which curves in the direction of said inboard edge, and a third portion extending from said second portion which is convergent with the third portion of said inboard edge at the top end portion of said center panel. 
     
     
       6. An inflatable cushion according to claim 1 wherein said center panel inboard edge has a first portion extending from the bottom end portion defining a straight line of a first length, a second portion extending from said first portion which curves in the direction of said outboard edge and a third portion extending from said second portion which defines a straight line of a second length much shorter than said first length, and wherein said center panel outboard edge has a first portion extending from the bottom end portion which diverges from said first portion of said inboard edge, a second portion extending from said first portion which curves in the direction of said inboard edge, and a third portion extending from said second portion which is convergent with the third portion of said inboard edge at the top end portion of said center panel. 
     
     
       7. An inflatable cushion according to claim 6 wherein the first portion of the outboard edge is shorter in length than the first portion of the inboard edge, and the second portions are of similar curvature and length.